- Former Senator Shehu Sani publicly supported First Lady Tinubu’s praise of December 2025 U.S. airstrikes in Sokoto State
- He urged the Nigerian Air Force to conduct further operations against terrorists and bandits in the northwest
- The endorsements signalled a push for stronger collaboration between Nigeria and the U.S. on counter-terrorism efforts
Former Nigerian lawmaker Senator Shehu Sani has publicly endorsed First Lady Oluremi Tinubu’s recent commendation of the United States’ airstrikes against terrorist groups in Sokoto State, describing her stance as “justified” amid ongoing criticism.
Sani, who represented Kaduna Central in the Senate from 2015 to 2019, questioned why some members of the public have attacked Mrs Tinubu over her comments, calling the December 2025 airstrikes a “welcome development” in Nigeria’s fight against terrorism.
Speaking on Tuesday via his X handle, Sani urged the Nigerian Air Force to carry out additional operations. “The December airstrikes against bandits and terrorists in the North were a welcome development. More strikes by our Air Force are needed against those mass murderers, rapists and kidnappers,” he wrote. “What Senator Remi said is right. I don’t know why some people are attacking her in view of the heinous atrocities of those terrorists.”
The strikes, conducted on 25 December 2025, saw U.S. forces, in coordination with the Nigerian government, target Islamic State (IS) militants in Sokoto State near the border with Niger. President Donald Trump described the operation as a “Christmas present,” claiming it destroyed key IS positions responsible for attacks on Christian communities. While U.S. Africa Command confirmed that multiple militants were killed, some sources suggested the strikes hit empty farmland or unoccupied camps.
During a visit to Washington, D.C. last week, First Lady Tinubu described the airstrikes as a “blessing” in an interview with Fox News. She highlighted Nigeria’s expectation for deeper collaboration with the United States on security matters, including intelligence sharing and counter-terrorism operations.
“The intervention of the U.S. was quite a welcome development. Nigeria looks forward to greater collaboration with the United States on security issues, and we expect there will be more,” she said, emphasising the need for sustained international support amid ongoing religious and communal violence in Nigeria.
Her comments come amid scrutiny from U.S. lawmakers over the increasing frequency of religious violence in Nigeria, with the country designated as one of particular concern by the Trump administration.
The endorsements by both the First Lady and Senator Sani underscore a growing consensus among some Nigerian leaders for stronger military collaboration with international partners to tackle insurgency and banditry in the country’s northwestern regions.
First Lady Oluremi Tinubu unveils unity fabric, celebrates young designer Mofinyinfoluwa Bamidele
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that Oluremi Tinubu, the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria unveiled a #OneNigeria/UnityFabric, which was designed by Mofinyinfoluwa Bamidele, a 25-year-old University of Ibadan graduate.
The First Lady disclosed at the unveiling of the fabric on Monday, September 16, 2024 that the #OneNigeria/UnityFabric was a competition launched in February 2024, inviting youths aged 15-25 to submit designs symbolising Nigeria’s unity.